Landlords of properties converted into bedsits could be forced to be licensed.

The Government has moved an amendment to its Housing Bill, representing the final victory for Gateshead Council and Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland who have been campaigning for the step.

Housing Minister Keith Hill said local authorities would now get more tools to tackle the scourge of anti-social behaviour.

A key provision will be a new mandatory licensing scheme to protect tenants living in the highest risk Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and give councils the powers to license other HMOs where appropriate.

The Bill will also address the impact that bad tenants and landlords in the private rented sector have on local communities by giving local authorities new powers to tackle the problems.

These will particularly concentrate on areas such as parts of Tyneside where low demand is prevalent and where there are particular problems with anti-social behaviour by tenants whose landlords refuse to act.

The moves follow consideration of a draft Housing Bill by a Commons Committee and Mr Hill said the changes would help "deliver stable communities and, by protecting the most vulnerable, help deliver decent homes in places for all."

The home-buying and selling process will be more certain, transparent and consumer-friendly.